10-year max temperature record broken in Addo on Monday

The official maximum temperature recorded on Monday for Addo Elephant Park was an all-time record, since measurements started in 2005, the South African Weather Services Port Elizabeth branch said.

"The previous record was 45.8C measured on 9 February 2010," described Garth Sampson, the SA Weather Services' Client Liaison Officer for the Eastern Cape.

"The mercury rose to a staggering 46.6C at 15h35 on Monday afternoon. At that point, the Heat Danger Index was at 124."

The apparent temperature was 51C.

"Apparent temperature is the general term for the perceived outdoor temperature, caused by the combined effects of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. The heat index and humidex measure the effect of humidity on the perception of temperature," Sampson explained.

The maximum temperatures at the following stations were also high, but were not all time maximums. All time maximum in brackets.

Patensie, 43.3C (45.0C)

Fort Beaufort and 43.3C (44.5C)

Somerset East 43.3C (43.8C)

Meanwhile, the SA Weather Services has has issued an advisory for severe thunderstorms in the eastern interior of the Eastern Cape for Tuesday.